5@5 is a daily, food-related list from chefs, writers, political pundits, musicians, actors, and all manner of opinionated people from around the globe.
It's Labor Day, and we can only hope that means folks out there are laboring over a burger - or four.
If you've finished studying our compendium of grilling awesomeness and ready to take off the training wheels and put on the big boy apron, Josh Capon has a few more ways to beef up your burger repertoire.
Capon is the chef at Lure Fishbar, and more importantly (at least in this case) the chef and partner at Burger & Barrel.
Five Ways to Up Your Burger Ante: Josh Capon
1. Build your own burger bar
"When you're having people over, make a show out of it. It's all about anticipation and showmanship! Get your guests involved in the fun with a DIY 'burger bar.' Friends and family (kids too!) will really love this.
Go beyond the average shredded lettuce and tomatoes - offer a bountiful spread of onions (grilled and raw), avocados, various spices, BBQ sauce and even your own 'secret' sauce. Get creative with the buns too. Who says you have to stick with the same old potato bun? Let your guests choose from focaccia, pitas and bialys."
2. Get creative with the meat
"Just because it's a burger, doesn't mean it has to be beef. Have fun with it and don't be afraid to mix it up. Go for a lamb with tzatziki sauce and feta cheese for a gyro-inspired burger. Or give your burger a Mexican spin with pork and a creamy avocado relish. If you're into Asian flavors, try a Peking duck burger with a hoisin-cucumber relish."
3. Bacon, bacon, bacon
"Bacon really makes everything better. We all know that's the truth. Buy a great high-quality applewood bacon slab that you can slice and grill or roast yourself. This way, you can slice it to your preferred thinness. Without a doubt, this will add amazing flavor and upgrade any burger."
4. Pickle your veggies
"Who says you need to go with your everyday jarred pickles? Get involved and pickle your own radishes, mushrooms, onions, beets and cabbage to top off your burgers. Since burgers are so rich, fatty and juicy, the pickled veggies will add a refreshing crunch guaranteed to lighten and brighten each bite."
5. Elevate the burger
"Before you lean in to take that first bite, you'll want to elevate your burger and bring it to the next level. Use special ingredients like black truffle salt, seasonal relishes and sophisticated cheeses such as Camembert and brie to get the aromas circulating through your house. You will smell the BTC (black truffle Camembert) burger coming from 10 feet away. This will be a great way to get everyone excited to eat."
Is there someone you'd like to see in the hot seat? Let us know in the comments below and if we agree, we'll do our best to chase 'em down.
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I love Josh's restaurants! If you like his burgers at B&B and are a seafood lover, you must try Lure Fishbar. It's right around the corner (also offers a burger) and has great mac n cheese. See photos and a review here: http://chekmarkeats.com/2011/07/02/lure-fishbar-soho/
I love everyone's critical points of views as if they HAVE to change the way they make and eat burgers or they HAVE to stick to only these guidelines. You don't know like bacon? Fine, don't use bacon. You want to use pickled cabbage? Great, use it. You think this is unhealthy? Of course it is, so don't make your burgers this way if you're concerned about it! That's the whole point of articles like this is to make suggestions on how you can change something to more of your liking. If it doesn't fit you, go somewhere else and find it. Don't be so critical of someone just trying to make something taste good.
The last time I checked,at some point, even skinny people who eat well, die. The unbelievable judgmental quality to so many of these posts about hamburgers is just one more symptom of a world gone mad with holier than thous. Eat what you want, for goodness sakes, but stop telling everyone else that they should die because they don't follow your script. Americans just want to believe that if they go vegan or eat "organic", they will live disease free forever. Guess what? You're going to die just like everyone else, fat or thin.
Hallelujah!
look at the guy in the picture...HE IS FAT. Most likely he suffers high cholesterol and heart disease and will not only die young but will suffer many ailments related to his diet before dieing – furthermore he will cost the medical system a bundle. He's a poster child for how NOT to eat. 30% of americans are now OBESE and it is because of food like this, end of story.
some people deserve to get fat, sick, and die young...will it be you??
Or I can be a pretentious, soapbox abusing A-hole like you.
PDXGuy I'm sure you're fat too. The truth hurts but James here is right.
Dear Catloversinc,
I'm truly honored that you took time out of your busy day to talk to me. What saddens me is that you are taking your single life aggression out on me. Just because you live in a small apartment, with 8 cats, 545 Facebook friends but no real ones and choose to tell people how to live does not mean you can blindly judge me... as I have you. In conclusion, you may now go back to beading horrible handmade jewelry.
Love, PDXguy
XOXO
Cool story bro.
*Never* trust a skinny chef!
Yeah, but what a way to go. And if you dont know the majority of the greatest cooks are "fat' ps get a life
Do you honestly care that folks die young from eating too much? I think not. Choke on your tofu and die, bi tch.
i always offer my 'secret sauce' for use on my guests' burgers. :)
Giggitty?
Giggitty?
Remind me not to eat at your place.
All of this guy's suggestions sound lovely, except for a few things here and there. This is where I say, it's a lot easier to just go to this guy's restaurant and have him prepare a burger to my liking than me going through all the trouble to try and do it myself :-P.
This is why so many are obese/cholesterol filled in the US. No disrespect, but one should only eat this kind of meal very seldom if aiming at a healthy lifestyle. News venues are contradictory and excessive: on the one hand, pages filled with revered, unhealthy recipes; on the other, extreme and strange diets. There is no balance in mainstream media.
I agree Irene. I've just started eating a vegan diet and this story is about as healthy as cigarette smoking. We need to stop poisoning our bodies with toxic food.
I see nothing wrong with this article. It isn't like anyone is asking you to have three burgers a day, seven days a week. Heck, you don't even have to have meat.. you could have a vegan burger with all of the other ingredients here and it would taste fantastic. Personally, I'll have beef. But I don't eat hamburgers every day. Don't criticize an article just because you're vegan. Not everyone is. If there's an anti-vegan artlcle, then go attack THAT but leave my hamburger alone.
You are right; I was referring to the extremity in the media. "Bacon, bacon, bacon", such as in this article, which makes excessive fat consumption normal, and in another section of this same CNN news some strange and evenly weird extreme diet. Neither is normal. Everyone can of course eat as they wish; my comment pointed towards the venue. This coming from someone raised on a Mediterranean diet as the norm, where most are thin-ish.
wasn't that a great song from the Dexy's Midnight runners
seriously; anyone that eats that every day is not thinking diet, the rest of us are just enjoying thinking about it... so ease off; relax... it is a nice article – it is not a symptom
Who really cares for black truffle salt or pickled cabbage on a burger? Most people are content with simplicity.
I do!
Best. Burgers. Ever.
so far my best for a quick burger is In and Out burger
Five Guys is one of the better chains... Their burgers aren't as good as "In and Out" burgers, but their fries are better...
However none of the chain stores can even hold a candle to the better "mom & pop" burger joints...
If you're ever in Houston try looking up a tiny little dive in midtown called Lankford's Grocery... their burgers will blow your mind!
Or, just go to Arlington, VA, and go to Ray's Hell Burgers. Seriously, it is the best Burger in the Country. I have had some very expensive and famous burgers and this one tops them all.
Treat a burger like a gyro! Toast the bun and dress it up with olive oil, paprika, hummus, lettuce, onions, pickled beets, mix the beef in with lamb and grill with onions/peppers and cook to yummy perfection. Why miss heaven by an inch?
I have some pickled beets I have been wondering what to do with. Thanks for the idea!!